An HDFS student from Portland, Hannah Crouser is president of the PERIOD club, a member of Chi Omega sorority and a peer mentor for Beaver Connect, and she received the Finley Academic Excellence Scholarship.

What inspired or interested you about your field of study? And why did you choose OSU and the College of Health?

I chose to attend OSU because it reminded me of home. The first time I visited the campus I fell in love with it and knew it would be a place I could grow over the four years I would spend here. 

I also chose it because of the HDFS program. I knew I wanted to work with people and would most likely be going into social work. I wanted to go into a program that had elements of psychology and sociology and that would focus on a holistic approach to understanding humans. 

HDFS has prepared me to go into a multitude of helping careers, and I know that I will be prepared for wherever my life takes me. 

Do you participate in campus or community clubs or organizations?

I am the president of PERIOD club, which is focused on menstrual education, advocacy and service to help increase access to menstrual health resources, destigmatize menstruation and reduce period poverty. We plan product drives and work to educate our club members about mensuration through interactive activities. In the past, we have painted tote bags to learn about period art, led Jeopardy games to learn about menstruation throughout history, and hosted educational panels.

I am also a member of Chi Omega sorority. Being part of a sorority has allowed me to meet amazing people, as well as hold leadership roles that have helped me grow personally and professionally. 

I served as the vice president in 2023, where I improved my professional writing skills and learned how to connect people to the academic resources available at OSU, such as the OSU Writing Center and Academic Success Center. This year, I am serving as director of programming, where I oversee the planning of all events put on by and for our members. 

Have you completed an internship? If so, where and what did you learn from the experience?

Over the summer, I worked at an elementary school in Portland. I worked with the food bank that was attached to the school to provide the local community with nutritious food each week. 

I also worked to inform the community of the summer resources offered by Parks and Rec, as well as connecting the food pantry with local grocery stores willing to donate food. 

Have you received a scholarship? If so, how has it affected your life and your studies?

I earned the Finley Academic Excellence Scholarship, which has allowed me to save money during my undergraduate studies. 

What do you think of your experience at OSU/in the college so far? Any stand-out experiences?

My experience at OSU and in the College of Health has been amazing. I have met so many amazing people through my classes and have so many amazing resources at my disposal. I know that if I ever want to get involved in research I can. 

It is clear in all of my College of Health classes that the professors want you to succeed and are very passionate about what they are teaching.

I participated in the Beaver Connect program during my first year at OSU, where I met other students in the College of Health and an instructor, whom I have gone on to take many classes from. 

Because of Beaver Connect, I developed a personal relationship with instructor Lori McGraw and have continued to get to know her in the classroom setting. 

It was because of this initial connection and experience that I have gone on to be a peer mentor for the Beaver Connect program, where I have been able to connect with a group of first-year students in the College of Health and help them access all the amazing resources the college and university has to offer. 

What are your post-college dreams/plans?

I plan on attending a social work program in graduate school and intend to become a medical social worker.